DUSHANBE, December 10, 2008, Asia-Plus  -- As of December 10, 2008, water levels at the reservoir powering Tajikistan’s largest Norak hydroelectric power station (HPS) have been at the level of little more than 886 meters, which is two meters lower than as of the same date of last year, Nozir Yodgori, a spokesman for Barqi Tojik (Tajik electric systems) power holding, told Asia-Plus on Wednesday.

According to him, the current water inflow rate at the Norak reservoir is some 210-220 cubic meters per second.

“We are currently taking measures to retain water levels at the reservoir in early January at the January 2007 level,” the spokesman said, noting that electricity rationing, Turkmen electricity supplies and introduction of the Dushanbe and Yovon heat and power stations into operation allowed them “to shorten the difference.” 

According to Barqi Tojik, Tajik power plants currently generate some 40 million kWh of electrical power per day and Tajikistan now receives Turkmen electricity at the rate of 6-7 million kWh per day.